E-Mail Utility to Lock Reply Recipients Field

1. A method of locking a distribution list of a reply e-mail, the method comprising: associating a locked distribution list to a first e-mail, said locked distribution list including a plurality of e-mail addresses; and sending the first e-mail to the plurality of e-mail addresses on the locked distribution list; wherein said first e-mail and the locked distribution list are configured so that the reply e-mail must include the plurality of e-mail addresses on the locked distribution list; and wherein the locked distribution list specifies a prohibited e-mail address that is not to receive the reply e-mail.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the locked distribution list includes a sender of the first e-mail.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the locked distribution list includes all recipients of the first e-mail.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the locked distribution is labeled with a locked indicator in the first e-mail.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the locked distribution list includes a blind copy recipient not shown on a full distribution list of the e-mail, the blind copy recipient being specified to receive the reply e-mail.

6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising: encoding the first e-mail using an encryption key based on the locked distribution list.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the first e-mail must be decoded using the encryption key for said reply e-mail.

8. A software product comprising an electronically readable medium including a program of instructions, wherein the program of instructions upon being executed on a device causes the device to: associate a locked distribution list to a first e-mail, said locked distribution list including a plurality of e-mail addresses; and send the first e-mail to the plurality of e-mail addresses on the locked distribution list; wherein said first e-mail and the locked distribution list are configured so that the reply e-mail must include said plurality of e-mail addresses on the locked distribution list; and wherein the locked distribution list specifies a prohibited e-mail address that is not to receive the reply e-mail.

9. The software product according to claim 8 , wherein the locked distribution list includes a sender of the first e-mail.

10. The software product according to claim 9 , wherein the locked distribution list includes all recipients of the first e-mail.

11. The software product according to claim 8 , wherein the locked distribution is labeled with a locked indicator in the first e-mail.

12. The software product according to claim 8 , wherein the locked distribution list includes a blind copy recipient not shown on a full distribution list of the e-mail, the blind copy recipient being specified to receive the reply e-mail.

13. The software product according to claim 8 , wherein the program of instructions upon being executed, further causes the device to: encode the first e-mail using an encryption key based on the locked distribution list.

14. The software product according to claim 13 , wherein the first e-mail must be decoded using the encryption key for said reply e-mail.

15. A system configured for locking a distribution list of a reply e-mail, the system comprising: an electronically readable storage medium configured to store an e-mail application program; a user input device responsive to user inputs for associating a locked distribution list to a first e-mail, said locked distribution list including a plurality of e-mail addresses; and a data interface unit configured to be connected to a network for sending the first e-mail to the plurality of e-mail addresses on the locked distribution list; wherein said first e-mail and the locked distribution list are configured so that the reply e-mail must include the plurality of e-mail addresses on the locked distribution list; and wherein the locked distribution list specifies a prohibited e-mail address that is not to receive the reply e-mail.

16. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the user input device is a mouse configured to manipulate a cursor; and wherein a full distribution list of the reply e-mail includes a new recipient not included in said locked distribution list.

17. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a full distribution list of the reply e-mail includes a new recipient not included in said locked distribution list.

18. The software product according to claim 8 , wherein a full distribution list of the reply e-mail includes a new recipient not included in said locked distribution list.